Molding machine



Sept. 24, 1963 c. R. KYEMPER MoLnING MACHINE Filed May 16,'1961 ullllluv United States Patent O 3,194,423 MOLEING MAC Charles R. Kemper, 509 Canterbury Drive, Dayton, Ohio Filed May 16, 1961, Ser. No. 110,493 Claims. (Cl. 18-26) rlhis invention relates to apparatus producing in a held article a combination of rotational and `gyrational motions in a generally new mechanical movement. Although Yof varied application, as for example in experimental work with centrifugal-like effect or for the admixture and dispersion of materials, the invention is useful as a molding .or casting machine in the manufacture of hollow articles made orf plastic materials.

Machines of the class described operate upon a mold, charged with a quantity of liquid plastic, to rotate the mold in a plurality of planes whereby the contained liquid may -tlow to the wall of the moi-d and form the shell of the article being made. In the case lof thermal setting plastics heat is applied to set the liquid in its shell form.

rlhe `object :of the invention is to simplify the construction as weil as the means and mode of operation of such machines, whereby such machines may not lonly be economically manufactured, but will be more eflicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to awide variety of application, and be unlikely to .get out of onder.

A further object of this invention is to improve upon machines yof lthis class with the view of achieving a more evenly .distributed flow of the liquid plastic under generated torces, resulting in a finished article of more uniform wall thickness. According to a .feature of Ithe invention provision is made not only for rotating the mold in a compound motion but for rotating it in the diiierent planes at differential speeds whereby the mold moves through its pluralityof planes under conditions of progressively changing attitude.

Another object of the invention is appreciably to simplify the construction `ofmolding machines as described in a mannerrobviatingthe use of conveyers, cams and the extensive structural organizations of the prior art.

Another :object of the invention is to eliminate the use of external heat applying means while retaining a means to :heat thermal setting plastics .during rotation of the mold. n

Still another object of the invention is to present a generally new molding machine especially characterized by compactness and simplicity and operating in the con-V fines of a fixed spherical plane.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new mechanical movement in apparatus `of Ageneral utility as described.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine possessing the advantageous structural lfeatures., the inherent meritorious characteristics andthe mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above and :other incidental objects in view las will lmore `fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consistsV of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode [of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviously not necessarily the :only ttorm of embodiment of the invention,

The drawing is a view in longitudinal section of apparatus in accordance with the illustrated embodiment ot" the invention, the device shown being a molding machineat the center of which is 4the mold area.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, a molding machine in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention has the character ori a gimbal-like device wherein outer and inner concentric rings 10 and 11 are supportedV for rotation about different axes. The assembly comprising` the rings |10 and 11 is supported between a pair 'of stationary brackets 12 and 13 and the mold area is defined 'at the center of such assembly as indicated by the broken line 14. 'Ihe rings 10 and 11 have a-n angular configuration to provide increased interior space to receiveari elongated mold and `for` a more 'facile accommodation `(rf-gearing, as will hereinafter more. clearly appear. The, rings are unitary and may conveniently be `fabricated from pla-tes 'or bar stock welded together at their ends.

Considering the illustrated structure in more detail, each bracket 12 and 13 carries an inwardly projecting stud, or ltru-nrlion 1S and 16 respectively, the trunnions being in diametrically opposed relation. Trunnion -15 is secured to its bracket 12, as by set screw means 17. Trunnion 116 is rotatable in bearings 18 in the bracket 13. The trunnion 15 extends thro-ugh and beyond a hub f19 of the 'outer ring 10, bearings 21 in the` hub 19 providing.

-for tiiree relativev rotation of the outer ring. The trunnion ld'extends through and beyond a hub 22cm the outer ring 10 and is secured thereto, as by means of set screw means 23. A head 24 fon the trunnion 16 abuts the inner surface. of lthe ring 10. On the inner projecting end of the trunnion 15, immediately in advance of a head 125 thereon, is a Igear 26. Positioned between the outer ring ltiandinner ring 1,1 the gear 26 is secured to the trunnion I15 in suitable fashiont'o occupy a stationary position relative 4to the notary ring 19. In meshing engagement with thengear 26 is another gear 27 secured by means including screwstuds 2S to the outer snr-face rof'inner ring 11. Further, bot-h the gear 27 and the inner ring 11 have a rotaryrbearing on ano-ther trunnion @installed in the ,outer ring 1lb 'to project inwardly or radially toward the moldareaand fixed to the outer ring by suitable means such as set screw means 31. The trunnion 29 is in circun'derentiallywoftset relation t-o the trunnion 15-and is diametrically opposed by a like trunni-on 32' also installedin the outer ring 16' in a rigid manner to project inwardly to and through the inner ritagli.

On' the'inner projecting end of the trunnion 29, and

thereof adjacent to the mold area 14.` Respectivebcaring'` devicesV 37'an-d 33 are fixed to the ring 11 and provide rotary 'mounts for the bodies-35 and 36 ywhich are freely rotatable relative thereto.

' The bodies 35`and 36 provide .an axis of rotation for `asupportedmold ywhich is in circumferentially otsetrelationf'both 'to the axis of rotation of the innerV ring L11,

' as deiined bythe trunnions 29 and 32, andtothe axis ofv rotationofthe'outer ring 1@ as defined by the trunnions` 15 and 16. The rotation of the rings randwof, the mold supports is simultaneous by: reason of the continuous meshing engagement :of the. severalV described gears. A

' force for! rotation of the described elements is brought tothe machine through a power driven rotary shaft. 391 having aA bearinginfthe )brackety 12 and having aigea-r 41f s ecured thereto. The gear 41 is in meshing engagement with a gear 4 2.' secured to hub 19` of theiouter ring-10;

In response to rotation o the shaft 39, therefore, gear 42 is made to rotate causing outer ring lil to turn in its supports on brackets l?. and i3. The axis `of rotation of the outer ring is labout the trunnions l5 and i6. The trunnions 29 and 32 are carried with the outer ring 10 in its rotation and so revolve about the axis of the outer ring carrying with =them the inner ring ll. The lgear 27 on the inner ring il accordingly moves in planetary fashion about the stationary gear 2o, and, in addition is caused to rotate about its own axis by virtue of its meshing engagement with the stationary gear. Hence the inner ring lll has :a compound motion turning simultaneously labout anaxis deiined by the trunnions 29 and 32 and revolving simultaneously in another plane by reason of its support in the rotating ring lil. The imold supports 35 and 36 partake of the compound motion of the inner ring ll and at the same time have additional -rnotion of their own las Ithe gear 34 travels in planetary fashion about the gear 33 with which it meshes.` A supported mold is `adapted to be connected to the supports 35 and 36 for unison -rotation therewith. It accordingly is subjected simultaneously to the rotational effect imparted by these devices `and Ito the compound motion through which ring ll passes. The result is a rotary movement of the supported mold simultaneously in a plurality of planes in such manner as to produce a highly uniform distributing eilect upon a charge of liquid plastic in the mold whereby it .may iiow evenly to the limits of the mold cavity and denne a wall of uniform thickness.

Accomplishing ya more general and` equal application of the distributing forces the mold is, in accordance with the instant invention, caused to pass through its plurality of planes under conditions of progressively changing attitude. The described gear drive is constructed to obtain differential speeds of rotation as between theV inner and outer gears and with respect to the -ri-iold supports 35 and 35. The planetary gear 27 is smaller in diameter than stationary gear 26. Therefore, in completing one revolution about the gear 26 the planetary gear 27 cornpletes more than one full revolution `about its own axis. The speed of rot-ation of the inner ring ll accordingly is greater than that of the outer ring 10. Similarly, gear 34 on body 35 is smaller in diameter than gear 33 so that the rotation of body 35 and the supported mold is relatively greater than the speed of rotation of the ring 11. As a result of such differential speeds, as noted, the lmold occupies a progressively changing and diierent attitude in each turn in its plurality of planes. Change speed devices of various kinds can be provided to effect this result and, of course, the diiierential may be in a decreasing direction instead of increasing or may be a combination of the two.

In the use of thermal setting plastic materials it is desirable to heat the 4mold during its rotation in order that the outwardly thrown material will set and hold the defined conguration. While heat lamps and other iductors 61 and 62 lead from the channel members 58 and 59 to a further slip ring 63 mounted to the exterior of outer ring lf3. Brushes 64 and 65 contact the ring 63 and are slidable in channel members 66 and 67 mounted in stationary bracket 13. Conductors 68 .and `69 supply electrical current to the machine :from a suitable source. The construction and arrangementof parts is one designed to supply electrical current to the heating coils 43 and 44 continuously or at will during operation of the machine and irrespective of the compound motion of certain machine parts. The heating system may be adapted for single or multi-phase operation and may likewise be selectively adapted'for control by thermally sensitive means.

The forces exerted in the mold area are particularly suited, as seen, to the molding of hollow articles and the like from a ilowable plastic material. The apparatus is not limi-ted, however in the kind of article or container rotated, having, as heretofore noted, general application to any field in which a mechanical movement as disclosed may advantageously be used. Y

As an example of such other tields, the present a-pparatus, with an appropriate container support-ed therein in place of the mold, may be used as -a blender, polisher, orgtumbler in connection with dry materials, liquids, gases or combinations thereof. Again, with an appropriate container supported either centrally or eccentrically therein, the apparatus maybe used to produce beneficial kinetic effects lon biological processes and materials.

.From the Vabove description it will Ibe apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described i possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from 'Y the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in `order to comply with the statute the invenf tion has been described in language more or less specific external heat applying means may be used the present Y n invention contemplates a direct heating of the mold by electrical resistance coils, for example by coils 43 `and 44 diagrammatic-ally shown projecting into the mold area `14. These coils are mounted on a disc or slip ring 45 rotatable on the support 36 and adapted to be connected to the supported mold. The ring '45 contains on its underside concentric electrically conductive rings 46 and 47 bridged by the resistance coils 43 and 44. Electrically `conductive brushes d8, and 49 are in Contact with the respective rings 46 and 47 and are slidably mounted in respective electrically conductive channel members 51 and 52 carried .by the inner ring l1 and insulated therefrom in a suitable manner. Electrical conductors S3 and 54 connect the channel members 51 and 52 to another asV to structural features, it is :to be understood thatl the invention is not limited to the specic features, shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed corniprise but one of several modes of putting :the invention into eiect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modilications within the legitimate and valid scope of the :appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. Apparatus of the class described, comprising article support means and a mount for said support means, said mount including means for rotating said support means about one axis the orientation of which is iixed and simultaneously about additional different axes the orientation of which constantly changesiand at different speeds,`

about dierent axes to achieve motion of a supported article in dierent planes under conditions of `promeans defining an axis of rotation for motion ofthe article in a first plane, trunnion means stationary with respect to the outer ring and Isupporting said inner ring Y l for relative rotation on an axis ydifferent from the axis `ring 55 like the disc or ring 45 and secured to thelouter carriers 5S and 59 are carried bythe outer ring 10. Conofl rotation defined by` said support` meansV tocect a ,Y

motion o the articleV in a. second plane, means supporting said outer ring for rotation in still another axis to carry said inner ring in a revolving movement eiiecting lmotion of the article in a third plane, and means for simultaneously rotating said rings and said article support means.` 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized inl thatv said last named means includes means obtaining diilerential speeds of rotation of Vsaid rings and of said 1 article support means.

VLl. Apparatus according to claim 2,7.charac`terized kby brushand slip ring connections between said rings -for conducting an electrical current to the center of said pair of rings for heating ofthe article.

5. Apparatus of the class described, including a gimballike device having a pair of concentric lrings supported for rotation about different laxes, the inner ring being carried by the outer ring, article support means carried by the inner ring for rotation about an axis different from the axes of said rings, means for rotating said outer ring, means interconnected with said inner ring to induce a rotation thereof relative said outer ring at a relatively different speed and means having a fixed relation to the outer ring interconnected with said article support means to induce a relative rotation thereof with reference to both said rings, a simultaneous rotation of said rings and said support means producing a compound motion of a supported article in a plurality of planes and at different speeds in diiferent planes.

6. Apparatus of the class described, including a stationary frame, trunnion means stationarily installed in said frame, a stationary gear on said trunnion means, a

gimbal-like outer ring rotatably mounted on said trunnion means, other trunnion means stationarily installed in said outer ring in circumferentially olset relation to the first said trunnion means, an inner ring rotatably mounted on said other trunnion means, a planetary gear ixed to said second ring and meshing with the relatively stationary gear, another stationary gear on said other trunnion means, relatively rotatable support means on said inner ring in an axis circumferentially offset from the axes of both said trunnion means, said support means including another planetary gear` meshing with said other stationary gear, and means for rotating said outer ring.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the gear connections as defined are constructed to obtain differential speeds of rotation of said rings and said support means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said planet-ary gears are different in size from the respective stationary gears with which they mesh to achieve a different speed of rotation of said inner ring relative to said outer ring yand a diierent speed of rotation of said support means relative to said inner ring.

9. Apparatus according to claim, characterized by brush and slip ring connections extending from said frame to said outer ring from said outer ring to said inner ring and from said inner ring to said support means conducting electrical current for heating a supported article.

10. A molding machine including a unitary device dening an enclosure at the center of which is a mold area, said device comprising inner and outer relatively rotatable concentric rings, relatively rotatable mold support means on the inner periphery of the inner ring projecting radially inward toward the rnold area, heating coil means rotatably mounted on said support means and Vadapted to be connected to the supported mold, means for rotating said rings and said support means in different rotational planes, and means for conducting electrical current to said coil means for heating during rotation thereof. Y

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,659,107 De Bell Nov. 17, 1953 2,967,329 y Friedland et al. Jan. 30, 1961 

1. APPARATUS OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, COMPRISING ARTICLE SUPPORT MEANS AND A MOUNT FOR SAID SUPPORT MEANS, SAID MOUNT INCLUDING MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID SUPPORT MEANS ABOUT ONE AXIS THE ORIENTATION OF WHICH IS FIXED AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ABOUT ADDITIONAL DIFFERENT AXES THE ORIENTATION OF WHICH CONSTANTLY CHANGES AND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS ABOUT DIFFERENT AXES TO ACHIEVE MOTION OF A SUPPORTED 